UMassHoops.com

^ Was able to catch the replay of the second half and unfortunately I fell into a deep coma as Penders was rambling on about how Brooklyn isn't a borough of NYC, its more like it's own country ....zzzzzz zzz zzzzz ... wait, what?

Maybe that is why he is not coaching anymore.

econalum wrote:...
YEAH, I decided to watch the last few minutes after coming home. Penders did not sound 'on his game', shall we say?

That was nothing compared to the postgame where he was on camera. Sad.

twisters tavern wrote:

Chris20 wrote:One play that deserves mention....after Maxie's steal/jam, Galloway missed a three, and the ball was loose. Trey D absolutely layed out to get his hands on that loose ball, earning the jumpball and possession. HUGE play, which he followed with clutch FT shooting. Kid is getting better all the time.

Was an automatic on the Kellogg-Roe teams of the 90's. There was not a loose ball I could remember that we didn't fight for like our lives depended on it.

TF's teams did as well. Who can forget Big Deli dive for the ball in the corner. Just one example. From what I have seen this team doesn't do it as much. I understand the risk of injury and all.

After watching the replay, I am going to try to refrain from spewing any negativity:

1) Chaz is the best player in the conference, proved it again last night, and he deserved an Oscar for the back pain he endured for one defensive possession, miraculously cured, and then hit a big 3.

2) Sweet Baby Lou is back on the bench. Made my day.

3) Maxie being a beast and Put having a strong 2nd half, DG making some hustle and defensive plays, Trey being clutch.

4) St Joes has 3 good college players in the Staten Island center Halil, Galloway and Bembry (who will be all conference for 2 of his years, maybe 3), which tends to be enough to win some games in the A-10, so all in a solid win.

To the negatives, well quite simply, Sampson and Cady need to play A LOT better and I'll leave it at that.

Surprised more haven't noted TBerg's post defense in the first half. He was absolutely superb. I do not think anyone he was defending scored on him and he was able to defend WITHOUT fouling.

Didn't think we played bad, but certainly not the way we are capable of. I have been hesitant to use Refuse to Lose since it is from another era of UMass Basketball, but our guys did truly refuse to lose last night.

One poster a few pages back touched on Sampson not being in shape. I do not think it is as much him being out of shape (they said he added weight over the break, which I do not see at all), as it is his body is breaking down. He hasn't been able to have his body fresh like it was in the beginning of the year. He needs one game where he gets some easy early buckets and to the line to get him out of this funk. I think Samp does give us some intangibles, he seems like more of a leader this year then he ever has been in the past. He still should start. Starting in basketball is overrated anyway. Maxie is better as an energy guy off the bench and playing a lot of minutes doing it.

On to the next one...

Not sure if it's just one thing with Sampson. Teams have adjusted, he's not getting a lot of the calls he was getting earlier in the year, maybe he is beat up a little bit, maybe he has put on a little weight (I remember being really surprised at how thin he looked at the beginning of the year and do think he's maybe added a few pounds as the year has progressed but I really have no idea.)

Whatever it is, hopefully he gets things turned around a bit. He was awesome to begin the year and has been through a lot health-wise. Would love to see him finish up strong.

^ Chalk it up to the ebb and flow of the season. Some players get hot others go in slumps...then things turn around. The hot guys get cold the slump guys heat up.

One of the endearing qualities of this team...players take turns being the guy who wins games. A REAL team.

Sampson needs to make shots from three to make his drives more effective. Looks like his rushing his shot and as a result his follow through is low and of short duration. All of that seems to me to indicate he is not feeling really confident in his shot. Be will start making them once he relaxes and holds his follow through like he did earlier in year.

Samp needs to get his confidence back. Early in the year his 3 looked smooth and confident, now it looks like he's praying when he throws one up.

I'm far more concerned with his inability to finish at the rim. He really doesn't seem to be able to elevate - but for a little while there he was more explosive. Didn't he mention a screw in his hip or something? Maybe time for a tune-up? But he gets blocked a lot for a guy his size.

Samp is a unique player. He has the size of our other bigs, but unlike Cady, Maxie and Put, Samp plays for the most part below the rim--and that's not a bad thing.

Samp reminds me of a slightly smaller (and only very slightly) Sam Perkins. The rare player built with a post player's body and a perimeter player's skills. He'll get his touch back, let's support the guy and be patient.